Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (left) runs past the UConn defender Kevon Jones (right) on his way to a touchdown during action in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, October 6, 2018. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

Memphis' Sam Craft warms up before the UConn game Saturday. Craft, who has sat out the past two seasons, returned to action against the Huskies and had two catches for 14 yards.(Photo11: Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

Sam Craft was doing interviews on Wednesday when a few Memphis teammates walked by and shouted over at him.

They yelled, “Mr. Craft!" – a nod to Craft being one of the team’s oldest players.

It’s just another thing Craft embraced on his climb back from two season-ending injuries. The friendly jokes. The setbacks. The vomiting during drills.

He's closer to being the player he used to be, and his return last week against UConn inspired his teammates as much as it brought him relief that he made it back on the field. His next test comes when the Tigers (4-2, 1-2 AAC) play at No. 9 Central Florida (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2).

“Him being from Memphis and facing all the adversity, he was made for it,” tight end Sean Dykes said. “If anybody could’ve overcome it, it was Sam.”

Before the UConn game, Memphis quarterback Brady White told Craft it was great seeing him back in uniform. Craft tried to hide his feelings but admitted that it was special knowing it’d be his first game since Oct. 14, 2016.

“It was emotional before the game, but once I got out there, I felt like I belonged. It wasn’t too much of a difference,” Craft said.

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Memphis wide receiver Sam Craft on his thoughts after playing in his first game since 2016 after two season-ending injuries.
Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal

For the coin toss, he was named a captain for the first time in his career. Then on Memphis’ second drive, he entered as a slot receiver with the Tigers threatening to score at the UConn 8-yard line.

When the ball was snapped, White immediately threw it to Craft, who ran ahead but was wrapped up on the 2-yard line.

Craft jogged off the field before Memphis scored on the next play. As he did, the Liberty Bowl crowd roared when it realized he had made his first catch in two years.

His teammates cheered and hugged him. In that moment, Craft said, he knew why he had fought through rehab twice after a back injury in 2016 and ACL tear in 2017.

“It made me feel great. I had so much fun out there,” Craft said. “I love the city of Memphis and how they supported me through everything I’ve been through.”

He added an 8-yard catch in the third quarter and also played on special teams. It wasn’t the same as being the versatile threat from 2013-16, when he started 23 games, but it was a positive step.

It was even more significant since he had been off the team’s depth chart the previous two weeks.

“Just seeing him get out there for the first time, it touched a lot (of) us,” Dykes said. “A lot of young guys look up to him and know (what) he’s done for this program.”

During the week leading up to the Tulane game, he was featured in team drills more than he had been since the season began. After one drill in practice that week, he doubled over after making a long catch and vomited.

It reminded him he was still far from game shape. But when Tigers coach Mike Norvell shouted a joke about him being rusty, Craft smiled as he got himself together.

“It feels like you’re back at home again. Being hurt for those two years and having to sit on the sidelines and watch those guys play, it’s a bad feeling.” Craft said

It’s why he’s looking forward to facing UCF on Saturday. Craft jokingly showed his age recalling the last time UCF came to the Liberty Bowl during his freshman year in 2013.

The quarterback then? Blake Bortles, who now plays for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

The game is just another step in his comeback, but Craft already was thinking ahead to how he’d feel scoring his first touchdown since September 2016.

He got a glimpse of how his team might react. During a recent practice when he caught a long touchdown pass from Brady McBride, the entire offensive unit swarmed around him and danced in a wild celebration.

For the team’s resident old man, the thought of it happening in a game made him feel young again and even more optimistic after he already conquered his main goal of making it back on the field.

“When it happens, it happens," Craft said. "I know it’ll be a great feeling.”